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CMU Digest
CMU Digest 23.07.18: Cliff Richard, Route 91, Spotify, Ed Sheeran, ICE, SACEM
By Chris Cooke | Published on Sunday 22 July 2018
The key stories from the last week in the music business…
Cliff Richard won £210,000 in damages after a judge ruled that the BBC infringed his right to privacy. The singer sued the Beeb over its coverage of a police raid on his home in 2014. The raid related to allegations of historical sexual abuse that never resulted in any charges. The judge was critical of the BBC’s sensationalist coverage of the police investigation and their naming of Richard as its subject. The Corporation says it may well appeal on the grounds that the judgement sets what it considers a dangerous precedent that could impact on the way all UK media report on police work. [READ MORE]
The hotel that hosted the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas sued over 1000 people caught up in the horrific shooting that took place at the event last year. The controversial legal action by MGM Resorts International seeks court confirmation that it cannot be held liable for the shooting that resulted in 58 deaths, because of the security measures it had put in place for the Live Nation-promoted country music festival. Both MGM and Live Nation have been sued by a number of victims in relation to the tragedy. [READ MORE]
Spotify unveiled a new platform via which artists, managers and labels can submit new tracks to its playlist curators. Although stressing the new tool is in beta, the company said it will mean self-releasing artists and smaller indie labels will be able to put new releases forward for playlist consideration. Placing on Spotify-controlled playlists has become a key driver of streams on the digital music platform, of course. [READ MORE]
It was revealed Ed Sheeran grossed $213.9 million from his touring activity in the first half of 2018. The most lucrative tour of the year so far – according to US trade mag Pollstar – Sheeran’s box office constitutes the largest monies grossed by any touring act in the first half of any year on record. This despite Sheeran’s average ticket price being the lowest among the ten biggest tours of the first half of 2018. [READ MORE]
Both ICE and SACEM signed up new publishers for digital licensing. More indie publishers are seeking to direct license their Anglo-American repertories to digital platforms. Previously many bigger indies did this via the IMPEL venture, but a number are now cutting out the middle man. Except the complexities of licensing song rights to streaming platforms means that publishers licensing direct without a middle man still need to partner with a copyright hub or collecting society to make it happen. Hence Concord now working with ICE and PEN Music Group with SACEM. [READ MORE]
The big deals from the last seven days in the music business…
• Sony/ATV partnered on a new Elvis musical [INFO]
• BMG signed a new deal with Cat Stevens [INFO]
• Warner/Chappell signed Odunsi (The Engine) [INFO]
• Warner/Chappell signed The Vamps [INFO]
